LEE COUNTY, Fla — For the first time in U.S history, Latinos are projected to be the largest minority voting group in this election, with an estimated 32 million eligible voters.
Today FOX 4's Sandra Rodriguez spoke with voters to see why they support President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden.
Latinos' voting power especially strong in key battleground states like Florida, where they make up 20% of voters.
Jase Haber supports President Trump.
“I think he is going to take Miami, Hillary Clinton took it in 2016, but I actually think he has a lot of momentum with Hispanics,” Haber says.
A recent survey by the Pew Research Center showed 63% of Latino voters favor Joe Biden while 29% favor President Trump.
But the lead is narrower among Latino voters in Florida, where Cuban Americans tend to lean republican.
“I think they fear anything that leans towards the left, and by nature every time they think Democrat, they think Fidel Castro,” Haber says.
Born to Cuban parents, Haber grew up in Miami before moving to Southwest Florida.
A republican, Haber says, he bases his vote on facts, not fears.
He adds that President Trump is more aligned with his conservative values.
“I always think what’s in the best interest of my family, myself, and my country, and Donald Trump is the answer,” Haber says.
He runs The Republican Nation political podcast and is a business owner.
He believes President Trump's policies are better for the economy and worries of higher taxes if Biden is elected.
“He’s going to eliminate Donald Trump’s tax cut,” Haber says.
But Latinos come from many different backgrounds and have different priorities.
Yudy Barbera is the president of the Hispanic Democratic Caucus of Collier.
A group empowering Latinos to vote.
She says she supports Joe Biden.
“I support him because as a Latino, as a Hispanic, as a woman, I think he’s going to take this country back in the right direction,” Barbera says.
She says for her immigration, and the handling of the pandemic are top concerns.
“When it’s convenient, we’re essential workers, we got to be out there working through a fire in California, we got to be here working through a pandemic as farmers, but when it comes to protecting our rights, we get attacked,” Barbera says.
Also, close to her heart is Puerto Rico.
Barbera was born in the Dominican Republic but spent the majority of her childhood in Puerto Rico.
She's confident Joe Biden will do more to help the island recover.
“This is not only about Latinos or people of color. It’s about being an American and being an American that feels that your government is going to have compassion and is going to help you in the moment of need,” Barbera says.
But regardless of what side of the aisle Latinos stand on, both Barbera and Haber say Latinos have the right to vote for who they believe in.
